Circumvention products are devices, including piracy cartridges, game copiers, USB piracy sticks, mod chips, and/or software, that bypass Nintendo’s security measures, enabling a consumer to make unauthorized copies of, modify, or play unauthorised game files (known as “ROMs”) in unauthorized ways.

Are they illegal?

It is illegal to import, market, sell or distribute circumvention products (such as piracy cartridges, game copiers, USB piracy sticks, mod chips, and/or software). Nintendo has obtained many decisions from criminal and civil courts across the world that confirms this. It is also unlawful to use these products when playing unauthorised copies of Nintendo games.

Exclusion of warranty

The use of unauthorized products that circumvent the security measures of any Nintendo products may damage the product and such damage is not covered by Nintendo’s warranty.

Reduced functionality

The use of an unauthorized device may also mean that consumers are unable to enjoy the full functionality and experiences that an authentic console provides. For example, you may not be able to play games online against other players. Online play is often key to the enjoyment of the latest video games. There is also a risk, where an unauthorized device has been used, that a console may no longer work following network updates. We want consumers to be aware of these potential downsides in the event that they are considering purchasing Nintendo Switch circumvention devices.

Circumvention Devices

Circumvention devices usually take the form of a piracy cartridge or USB piracy stick which works together with software to enable the original firmware on the console to be customized. These devices have been designed to circumvent Nintendo security measures deployed on the console to allow the playing of pirate games (i.e. unauthorized copies of games).

Piracy cartridges such as MIG Switch/MIG Flash, R4 Switch and others are circumvention devices.

These devices are produced in the Asia region and often sold via websites or marketplaces.

There are a number of different versions of Nintendo Switch circumvention devices, but they essentially work in the same way to circumvent the security in the Nintendo Switch system.

Dealing in and using circumvention devices is illegal.

Mod Chips

Mod chips are circumvention devices used to bypass the security measures embedded within Nintendo’s console systems, including Nintendo Switch. Mod chips are soldered to the internal motherboard of the console, voiding the console warranty.

There are many different types of mod chips, manufactured primarily in China. Mod chips such as HWFLY or PICOFLY are circumvention devices.